Aloke Prasad wrote:
> "Ben S." > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Aloke Prasad wrote:
>>
>>>My parents used to add a pinch of sugar to the pot while steeping black
>>>tea, saying that it improved the quality of the brew. I think I agree,
>>>but that may be the placebo effect (power of suggestion).
>>>
>>>Has anyone else heard of this? or agree with this?
>>
>>I would say if it works for you, do it!
>
>
> But the scientist/engineer in me will wonder whether it's all psychosomatic
> or if the effect is real. It's too much to set up a blind taste test :-)
> Thus i was wondering if this belief/effect (of small amount of sugar
> improving the color of the liquor) was more widespread ...
>
>
>>I rarely drink black teas but when I do, I usually add a bit of sugar in
>>the cup, and it seems to smooth the flavor and enhance the more subtle
>>nuances which I miss when it's unsweetend. Ceylon's my exception - seems
>>better to me with no sugar.
>
>
> There wouldn't be much of an effect on taste (sweetening) of 1 tsp of sugar
> in a pot brewing 3-4 cups of tea. It was (supposedly) to improve the
> quality of the brew ...

Sounds funny, but I can tell. If my wife and I have identical cups of
the same tea, I can tell which one had a bit of sugar. In an 8 oz mug
usually I'll add less than 1/2 tsp. so I don't taste sweetness, just a
fuller flavor. Maybe the pinch per pot does something similar?

-ben